Release Detail

November 6, 2003 - Pataki Tops 50 % Approval For First Time This Year,
Quinnipiac University Poll Finds;
Corruption Is A Serious Problem In NY, Voters Say

New York State voters approve 52 - 36 percent of Gov. George Pataki, the first time
this year his approval has topped the 50 percent mark, according to a Quinnipiac
University poll released today.

New Jersey Gov. James McGreevey has yet to reach 50 percent and Connecticut
Gov. John Rowland hasn't been there since an October 2, 2002, poll by the independent
Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.

New York voters say 52 - 41 percent that Gov. Pataki should not seek a fourth
term in 2006, but 68 percent of voters expect him to run again.

"The budget blahs have bitten his neighbors in New Jersey and Connecticut, but
Gov. Pataki seems to be immune. It's a long way to 2006 and politicians and pundits
suspect that Pataki has his eye on Washington. New Yorkers don't want him to emulate
Nelson Rockefeller and go for a fourth term - but they think he will," said Maurice
Carroll director of the Quinnipiac University Polling Institute.

Voters say 53 - 45 percent they would like to have a California-type recall
provision in New York. But 76 percent say they would not vote to recall Pataki. And 75
percent say they would not vote for Arnold Schwarzenegger for governor of New York.

"New Yorkers would like the power to recall a governor, but they wouldn't do it
to this governor. And as for Ahh-nold, California is welcome to him," Carroll said.

New York State's budget problems are "very serious," 62 percent of voters say,
and 30 percent say they are "somewhat serious."

Only 13 percent of voters blame the state's budget problems on Pataki, while 18
percent blame the State Legislature; 32 percent blame the economy and 25 percent blame
the September 11th terrorist attacks.

To balance the budget, New York should cut services and keep taxes at their
present level, 52 percent say, while 36 percent say raise taxes to keep services at their
present level.

"'Albany, we have a problem,' voters say. The first task in balancing a
government budget is to convince voters there's a problem. They're convinced," Carroll
said. "Voters give politicians a pass on the problem, blaming 'conditions' instead."

Government corruption is a "very serious" problem in New York, 28 percent of
voters say, while 44 percent say it's "somewhat serious." But 70 percent of voters say
New York's elected officials are about as honest as those in other states.

Looking at other issues for the legislature to address next year, voters say:

50 - 47 percent that lawmakers should make the statewide ban on smoking in bars
and restaurants less strict;

56 - 39 percent to legalize casino gambling statewide.

From October 29 - November 3, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,304 New
York State registered voters, with a margin of error of +/- 2.7 percent.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania and
nationwide as a public service and for research.

For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu or call (203) 582-5201

TREND: Do you approve or disapprove of the way George Pataki is handling his
job as Governor of New York?

23. (If "state legislature" on q22 ask) Is it mainly the Republicans in the
state legislature or the Democrats who are more responsible for the budget
deficit?

State leg.
q22

Republicans 26%
Democrats 27
DK/NA 47

24. Projections are that next year's state budget deficit will be 5 to 6
billion dollars. To balance the state budget next year, if you had to choose,
which would you prefer -- raising taxes to keep state services at their current
level or cutting state services to keep taxes at their current level

29. Compared to elected officials in other states, do you think that New York
State's elected officials have more honesty and integrity, less honesty
and integrity, or about as much honesty and integrity?